It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

University of Rio Grande women’s coach David Smalley found the kind of fight in a point guard he likes when he signed Green Lady Bobcats senior Ashlee Runyon on Monday to a letter-of-intent.

Despite standing only 5-foot-1, Runyon is the kind of competitor and player who Smalley thinks fits in well.

Runyon doesn’t let her size become a factor.

“I was always told I was too short,” said Runyon. “With hard work I can improve myself. I’ll have to lift weighs and beef up. It’s up to me how much I play.”

Rio Grande head coach Dave Smalley said height wasn’t an issue in recruiting Runyon who spent time last summer at the RedStorm basketball camp.

“We’ve made a living out of undersized point guards,” said Smalley. “First and foremost, we have a quality person. We want speed and quickness at the point guard position. You can never have enough depth at point guard and she fits well into our scheme.”

Runyon said attending the school’s camp helped sway her decision to Rio Grande.

“I went to basketball camp and stayed in the dorms and it allowed me to think about going there. I met the coaches and girls and it just seemed like the place for me.”

Green head coach Dale Royse said Rio Grande is getting a quality player and person.

“She is one of the hardest working kids I’ve had,” said Royse. “She’ll do exactly what I want her to do. She’s very coachable. Any coach she’s played for will tell you that. And more than anything she’s a great person.”

Runyon, the daughter of Greg and Tammy Runyon, said she plans to major in business.